News

Another bumper year for FilmG as 76 films are submitted across both categories.

MG ALBA’s national Gaelic short film competition, FilmG, has received an amazing 76 films this year, 46 in the Youth Category and 30 adult entries. All films can now be viewed online from today (Tuesday 28 January) and you can vote for your favourite film until the 10th February when the judges’ shortlists will be announced.

This year saw an increase in the number of music videos being submitted, all of which are of a very high standard. They include a video of the track 'Eilean a' Cheò' by Niteworks which was shot in Glasgow. It provides a modern day interpretation of the original folk song, portrayed through a young couple's relationship breakdown. Another compelling music video entry is Phill Todd’s ‘Còmhla Riut-sa’ which depicts young twins that are separated when their croft is attacked by marauders, and they find themselves desperately searching for sanctuary.

Domhnall Eòghainn MacKinnon who won ‘Best Music Video’ at last year’s FilmG awards has this year made a beautiful and moving documentary called ‘An Sgoil Bheag Mu Dheireadh’ (The Last Little School). This film is about the closure of the remote little school of Sheilbost on the Isle of Harris which has clearly left a hole in the heart of the local community.

He said: “I really wanted to enter FilmG again as it gives me a platform to get my films shown. The story of the closure of the school is one which people throughout the Islands and many Highland communities can relate to and I wanted my film to capture the sense of loss that the community can feel.”

The films submitted in the Youth category set the benchmark in terms of production quality and ideas getting higher. Teenagers really made an effort to film outside of the school gates and the results are clearly reflected in the quality of their films.

Also notable this year was the increase in comedy films, they include Glasgow Gaelic School’s ‘A Tarraing À Bond’ (Taking the Mickey out of Bond) which is shot in a mockumentary style and has a range of interesting and entertaining characters. Also extremely funny are two of the music videos entries, they are ‘Ailean Dubh às Lochaidh’ by Dingwall Academy and ‘Latha Math’ by the Nicolson Institute. Both films clearly show that the schools had a lot of fun making their films and worked well together as a team.

Floraidh Forrest, FilmG Project Manager said: “This year we are delighted both with the number of entries and with the quality of entries. Both categories cover a range of topics and engage very well with the theme ‘Rùn – Love, Secret, Intent’ that was set for them at the launch of the competition. I’d encourage as many people as possible to watch these films and to vote for their favourites”.

All films can be viewed online at http://www.filmg.co.uk on 28 Tuesday January. The judges’ shortlists will be revealed in the middle of February with the winners being announced at the glitzy awards ceremony in Glasgow on Friday 14th March.